Britain's Competition and Markets Authority has unveiled proposals to break the stranglehold Apple and Google hold over in-app payments, aiming to slash developer fees and lower consumer prices.
The CMA’s intervention targets the current ban preventing UK developers from directing users to off-platform payment options. The regulator insists any future fees levied by the tech giants for this “steering” must be fair, reasonable, and substantially lower than existing commission structures, with savings redirected to consumers or reinvested into digital innovation.
Beyond payment processing, the watchdog is exploring forcing Apple to open up access to its near-field communication technology. This move would permit developers to launch independent contactless payment services within their iOS applications, directly challenging Apple Pay’s ecosystem dominance.
Google responded by stating it had already implemented the changes proposed by the CMA, referencing new Play Store terms introduced earlier this month that allow external transaction steering under specific restrictions and an updated fee structure. Apple did not immediately provide a comment on the regulatory push.